OnePlus shares an update on key actions to take based on what it heard

OnePlus has been working hard to position themselves as a company that values the input of customers. They tend to be one of the more transparent companies in providing updates and soliciting feedback. To that end, today OnePlus posted a summary update regarding their Open Ears Forums held during the first half of 2018. The forums were held in different locations and each one had a theme or focus. Using the input received at the forums, OnePlus has been working on a variety of key actions to improve their products.

The first of the forums was held in Germany with a focus on the camera. Based on feedback, the following key actions were identified along with their current status:

fix compatibility issues with 3rd party camera apps – the OnePlus 5 and 5T are now compatible with most apps and OnePlus plans to roll out a fix for the OnePlus 3/3T in the next official update;

remember HDR settings from the last time the app was used – fixed in OxygenOS 5.1.0 update;

optimize editing in Gallery collections – OnePlus says they are working on it;

optimize panorama experience – another item OnePlus says they are working on, though they publicly state they should have it fixed by the end of this year;

optimizations for the “oil painting effect” – an initial batch of optimizations was released for the OnePlus 5/5T with a second version slated to be released soon, followed by an official release.

The next forum was held in Sweden where OnePlus concentrated on customer service issues. OnePlus says they think they have addressed all of the identified issues through things like improvements to the Community Page search functions, a new self-service and repair cost page that went live a few days ago, a new video walkthrough to help users with remote sessions, and efforts to improve customer service agent response times. OnePlus even got around to working on some of their “category B” items and managed to reduce overall turnaround time for repairs by 50% in North American markets and 30% in European market. OnePlus also says they are working on making report repairs easier to understand for customers unfamiliar with more detailed technical language.

An additional forum in London in 2017 had generated a request for a diagnostics and troubleshooting app. OnePlus says they are testing this tool now and hope it will be ready for release to customers soon.

Finally, OnePlus held a forum in San Francisco on their OxygenOS operating system Several items were identified. Those include:

a software maintenance schedule – OnePlus committed to a schedule that was announced last week;

Android 8.1 update for OnePlus 5/5T – completed and OnePlus suggests they will roll out Android P before the end of the year;

improvements to the Alert slider – OnePlus is working on porting over how the slider works on the OnePlus 6 to the OnePlus 5/5T;

accent color customization – currently in beta for the OnePlus 5/5T, it will eventually roll out to the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 3/3T;

Camera2 API support – fully supported in most devices now and a fix for some compatibility issues looming;

improvements to data migration for the OnePlus Switch application – OnePlus says they are still working on this feature for the app to make sure it meets customer expectations;

user specified SIM for calls to different user groups – OnePlus says they plan to have this in an upcoming beta release.

As the second half of 2018 opens, OnePlus is preparing to hold an Open Ears Forum in India this week.

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, an LG G3, and a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Samsung Galaxy S8 and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). He is also using a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z Play Droid supplied by his job. Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active an active runner usually training for his next marathon, owns a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and plays Dungeons & Dragons. Jeff has three grown kids and a golden retriever.